America loves its high-riding SUVs and crossovers, but the midsize sedan is still our country's bulk auto. Here, the Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Chevy Malibu, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, and Mazda6 face off in a contest of performance, style, comfort, and utility.

PopMech Tested: Which Midsize Sedan Is the Best?

PopMech Tested: Which Midsize Sedan Is the Best?

The Midsize sedan is America's bulk automotive commodity. The practical, fuel-efficient, and roomy off-the-rack conveyance is the go-to vehicle for about 2 million U.S. families every year. That kind of sales volume makes the midsize sedan a reliable profit stream.

Because so much is at stake, manufacturers devote an astonishing level of research and development to new models, fine-tuning formulas in the hope of creating an irresistible recipe for the buyer's palate. Very little is left to chance.

All the cars in the segment are dimensional doppelgängers by nearly every measurement, inside and out. The sameness can seem a bit boring, but not all sedans are snoozers. In fact, the most recent entries deftly fulfill utilitarian requirements while baking in plenty of style and moxie. Has the family sedan finally found the intersection of useful and fun?

To answer that, we tested a half-dozen of the newest midsize four-doors. The orders were simple: Equip each one with the powertrain most people buy and with enough technology and comfort to set the price at right around $30,000. We wallowed for hours in the back seat of each one, like kids on a family trip. We moved trunk loads of gear to discover which cars warranted praise for hauling capacity. And we spent days on the road examining each car's ride, handling, and fuel economy. We learned that family cars are more than just basic transportation—they can also be fun to drive. And when it came to the ideal combination of all-around performance, style, comfort, and utility, a clear pecking order emerged.

6. Nissan Altima 2.5 SL

6. Nissan Altima 2.5 SL

Against the competition the Altima feels disjointed, as if different engineering teams had calibrated the steering, suspension, and powertrain without talking to one another. When we pitched the car hard into a corner, for instance, the light steering made us wonder if we'd be able to complete the turn. We found that the body bobs and weaves during a hard run through the canyons, leaving the driver without confidence in its handling. On both the boulevard and the highway, the car proved to be a smooth rider. The Altima's seats provide ample comfort, which is enhanced by generous padding on the center console and door panels. Nissan's 2.5-liter four-cylinder combines with the continuously variable transmission and a feathery chassis to produce snappy acceleration and exemplary fuel economy. So it's a shame that the engine is thrashy and that the CVT could use a visit from Honda's engineers for some refinement. On paper, the Altima offers the least rear legroom, but rear passengers found sufficient coziness, thanks to the plush seat.